By: Ron W. Ringen, Board Director,  Tuolumne Utilities District

An open letter to the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association…Education, Education, Education…

First, I want to heartily thank the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association and their Executive Director, John Kingsbury, for the foresight of thinking up, planning and putting on such a great educational program (Headwaters in Peril) that occurred recently at the Ridge Events Center in Auburn.  I have to say that putting on educational event of this proportion takes a ‘ton’ of time, effort and planning! A big special thanks to Mr. Executive Director, John Kingsbury, but more so to his ‘better half’, Ginny, who did a bunch of the heavy lifting!  However, I also really want to thank the people/entities that actually brought the program to fruition through their generous sponsorship/donations to make the program happen – thank you so much: PCWA, HDR, D & A Civil Engineering, Blackburn Consulting, EN2 Resources, Inc, AECOM, Churchwell White LLP and ECORP Consulting, INC.  You folks are truly industry leaders and deserve our support.

Although I was unable to ask the question I wanted to ask the Panel during the Wednesday Panel discussion because there were time constraints, I was able to ask Congressman Tom McClintock the question the next day when Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) was fortunate enough to have the Congressman take time out of his busy schedule to meet/visit with us (TUD) and participate in a Special Board Meeting to discuss various TUD issues.

My question to Congressman McClintock was: “I’m pretty sure that you are well aware of the incredible progress and positive projects that are being promoted and put in motion through the collaboration, co-operation and huge collective efforts of the large ‘array’ of stakeholders and organizations in Tuolumne County (and southern Calaveras County) – the T-Stan IRWMP, the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions, the Lyons-South Fork Watershed Forestry Resiliency Project, and the just ‘inked’ agreement that will allow Tuolumne County and YSS to provide money/perform projects on US Forest Service lands to benefit all.  My question to you Congressman McClintock, just what can we do as individuals and utilities to help promote this collaboration and forward-thinking process to help save our forests and water?”

The answer I got from Congressman McClintock was immediate and direct…EDUCATION – educate people on the real facts of what is occurring in and to our forests!

My request of the MCWRA members is, that if you have education ‘home runs’/successes, please share them with John so that he can share them with the rest of us.  Hey, we are all in this together!

On the third page of the “BIOGRAPHIES” MCWRA handout we were given at the symposium, under the MCWRA logo, it is stated in bold letters: “Education, Advocacy, Leadership”

Mountain Counties Water Resource Association has truly lived up to and continues to live up to that pronouncement! Just my humble opinion…

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For more on MCWRA Associate Members, click the following links:

A panel of distinguished speakers discussed the perils to the watershed and California’s forests at a workshop sponsored by the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association. From left to right, Congressman Doug LaMalfa; Dan Tomascheski, Vice President of Sierra Pacific Industries; Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester, USFS; Congressman Tom McClintock and panel moderator Steve Brink, Vice President of the California Forestry Association.

A workshop sponsored by the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association titled “Headwaters in Peril” drew a large audience as speakers discussed the many threats to the Sierra Nevada watershed and in particular to water quality and the sustainability of the state’s forests.

There to discuss the topic at the May 30 meeting were Congressmen Tom McClintock and Doug LaMalfa; Dan Tomascheski, Vice President of Sierra Pacific Industries; Barnie Gyant, Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Forester, USFS; Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester, USFS; Steve Brink, Vice President of the California Forestry Association; and Jim Branham, Executive Officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a state entity.

Read more: https://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/forest-health-workshop-details-threats-to-watershed/

Video, courtesy of Video Streaming Services: http://download.videossc.com/MCWA/053018/MCWRA_053018_AllDay.mp4

Pictures from the Gallery: https://mountaincountieswater.com/meeting-schedule/general-membership-meeting-archive/pictures-from-the-gallery/

THANKS TO OUR SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS 

US Forest Service Chief Bus Tour, hosted by Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Congressman Tom McClintock

By:  John Kingsbury, Executive Director, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association

Last month, I had the privilege and honor to be invited by Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Congressman Tom McClintock to join them and others on the USDA Forest Service Chief Tour in Toulumne County.   This was a distinct opportunity to meet Interim Forest Chief, Vicky Christensen and hear from experts about the forest and environmental devastation caused by the Rim Fire and restoration efforts and challenges.

Recently, the attendees received a copy of the white paper titled “America’s Forest Health Crisis”, which I would like to share with our MCWRA website subscribers.

Thank you for attending the May 14^, 2018 Chief’s Tour. 

We have enclosed a copy of the white paper, “America’s Forest Health Crisis.”   The white paper is a combination of scientific and empirical data that provides the benchmark for our forest health observations and talking points discussed during the tour.  It was prepared in 2017 for President Trump by the Joint Governmental Affairs Committee (comprised of Associated California Loggers, Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, and Loggers Association of Northern California), with invaluable input from the California Forestry Association.

Over 45% of our western states’ forest land is included in our National Forest System
(NFS). The NFS lands were set aside by Congress for the express purpose and intent to
“improve and protect the forest, secure favorable conditions of water flows, and furnish a
continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of citizens of the United States.”
That intent was further defined to “develop and administer the renewable surface
resources of the National Forests for multiple use and sustained yield of the several
products and services.”
However, for the past 25 years, our NFS has been experiencing a forest health crisis
because laws regulating the NFS are often conflicting.

Read More: America’s Forest Health Crisis

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is pleased to announce a Request for Pre-Applications to the Watershed Improvement Program Grant Program, funded through Proposition 1 and Proposition 68, to support forest health projects that result in multiple watershed benefits. Please read SNC’s Grant Guidelines for a complete description of Grant Program requirements and visit the SNC Website for details on the application process.

SNC strongly encourages applicants to meet with their Area Representative to discuss projects prior to preparing their Pre-Application. For general questions regarding the Grant Program, please contact SNC at grants@sierranevada.ca.gov or (530) 823-4689.

Our View: Give them some time to parse out correct management of assets

Appeal Democrat

We’re not sure all citizens of Yuba County appreciate the turning point that the community is just starting to engage. And we’d like to see some wait-and-see given to management of some massive assets.

Yuba County Water Agency board chairman Brent Hastey broached the topic Friday at the county’s Perspectives 2018 – an annual business appreciation luncheon.

Click here for more

Headwaters in Peril; Federal Legislation, Federal Funding, Constraints

Symposium Date:  Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Location:  The Ridge Golf Course and Event Center, 2020 Golf Course Rd, Auburn, CA 95602 – Directions

Doors Open: 8:15 a.m.

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

RSVP link: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3354938

• MCWRA Member Advanced Registration/State and Federal Representatives Registration  – Open
• Non-Member registration open May 19, subject to availability – limited space available
• No-Walk-ins

Congressman Doug LaMalfa

Congressman Tom McClintock

MCWRA members – time to register for this important “Headwaters in Peril” symposium

RSVP link: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3354938

NOTES:

• MCWRA Member Advanced Registration Now Open
• State and Federal Representatives Registration Now Open
• Non-Member registration open May 19, subject to availability – limited space available
• No-Walk-ins

Information provided by:  Elissa Brown, Fund Development Coordinator, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, 559-877-2432, www.sierranevada.ca.gov, www.sierranevada.ca.gov/wip

CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Proposition 1: Watershed Restoration Grant Program

The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Proposition 1 Watershed Restoration Grant Program Solicitation Notice has been released. The due date for the application is June 13, 2018.

The purpose of the Watershed Restoration Grant Program is to build resiliency and address immediate issues from the aftermath of recent wildfires, as well as address long-standing environmental challenges, by supporting water quality, river, and watershed protection and restoration projects of statewide importance outside the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Funds will support planning or implementation projects that address at least one of the following priorities:

• Central Valley salmon resilience and recovery: shovel-ready implementation projects that focus on Central Valley anadromous fish habitat restoration and that benefit salmonids and other native and anadromous fishes
• Large-scale wildfire recovery response: planning and implementation projects in fire-damaged watersheds that will contribute to restoration and recovery of stream and riparian habitats, prevent erosion, protect and improve water quality, and prevent potential future negative ecosystem effects
• Restoration project implementation: shovel-ready implementation projects that contribute to the recovery and conservation of special status species and protect, restore, or enhance important ecosystems identified in the California Water Action Plan (CWAP)

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Installation of fish screens
• Removal of fish barriers and dams
• Prevention of upslope erosion
• Restoration of riparian habitat
• Improvement of water quality for aquatic and riparian species
• Restoration of coastal wetland ecosystems

A workshop for this grant will be held on May 30. For more information see: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Restoration-Grants

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JUST ADDED:  Steve Brink, Vice President, California Forestry Association confirmed to moderate afternoon panel

You won’t want to miss this important symposium

Symposium Date:  May 30, 2018

Location:  The Ridge Golf Course and Event Center, 2020 Golf Course Rd, Auburn, CA 95602 – Directions

Doors Open: 8:15 a.m.

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

How We Got Here and How It Could Have Been Prevented

• Jim Branham, Executive Officer, Sierra Nevada Conservancy – confirmed

Managing Public Forest Lands Today and the Vision for the Future

• Barnie Gyant, Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Forester – confirmed

Managing Private Forest Lands as a Partner & Stakeholder in The Forest

• Dan Tomascheski, Vice President, Sierra Pacific Industries  – confirmed

Keynote Speaker/s

• Congressman Doug LaMalfa
• Congressman Tom Mc Clintock

What Needs to Be Done – How Are We Going to Get There (afternoon panel discussion)

Afternoon Panel Participants:

• Congressman Doug LaMalfa
• Congressman Tom Mc Clintock
• Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester
• Dan Tomascheski, Vice President, Sierra Pacific Industries

Panel moderated by:  Steve Brink, Vice President, California Forestry Association

RSVP link: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3354938

Important notes:

• MCWRA Member Advanced Registration Now Open
• State and Federal Representatives Registration Now Open
• Non-Member registration open May 19, subject to availability – limited space available
• No-Walk-ins

Agenda Final

Thanks to these MCWRA Associate Members for their support of this symposium:

TIME IS LIMITED, RSVP TODAY!

Contact:  John Kingsbury, Executive Director

johnkingsbury.mcwra@gmail.com

(530) 957-7879

RSVP link: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3354938

 

Click link for: 4.26.18 Board Release